Husband donates kidney to his wife for 23rd wedding anniversary

A Florida husband gave his wife the gift of a lifetime when he donated one of his kidneys to her for their 23rd wedding anniversary.

Monica Calle, 39, suffers from polycystic kidney disease, a disorder she inherited from her mother.

Monica told the Sun Sentinel that she was diagnosed with the disease a decade ago and spent the past several years undergoing dialysis, and hoping for a donor. 

‘I was in a lot of pain, I was scared, and I didn’t know if there was gonna be a miracle for me,’ she told the outlet.

Monica Calle recently underwent surgery for a new kidney after her husband, Cesar, donated one of his to her 

Monica was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and spent the last several years on dialysis 

Monica was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease and spent the last several years on dialysis 

In December, doctors told Monica that her husband was a perfect match and Cesar agreed to donate one of his kidneys  

In December, doctors told Monica that her husband was a perfect match and Cesar agreed to donate one of his kidneys  

In December, Monica found out that her husband, Cesar Calle, was a perfect match. The computer network technician immediately agreed to give his wife one of his kidneys.

The surgeries were performed at Memorial Transplant Institute in Hollywood on February 19, a few days before the couple’s 23rd wedding anniversary. Monica works at the hospital scheduling surgeries for patients. 

It was the first time the new institute had performed a kidney transplant, the hospital said in a press release. The surgeries were filmed live on the hospital’s Facebook page.

‘This is an amazing gift,’ Monica said. ‘God put this man into my life for a reason. He really did put him 23 years ago in my life for a reason. He saved my life.’ 

Cesar said he was excited his wife, and the mother of his three kids, was getting a ‘new start’ on life. 

‘We are so grateful to Memorial for everything that has been done,’ he said. 

The surgeries were performed on February 19, a few days before Cesar and Monica's 23rd wedding anniversary 

The surgeries were performed on February 19, a few days before Cesar and Monica’s 23rd wedding anniversary 

Monica said she feels like she won the lottery after her surgery. Pictured above is Monica leaving Memorial Transplant Institute, where the surgery took place and also where she works 

Monica said she feels like she won the lottery after her surgery. Pictured above is Monica leaving Memorial Transplant Institute, where the surgery took place and also where she works 

'I started dreaming of what my future would look like, not having to do dialysis,' Monica said 

‘I started dreaming of what my future would look like, not having to do dialysis,’ Monica said 

Dr. Juan Areanas, who led the medical team who did Monica’s surgery, said it’s ‘very unusual’ to find a husband and wife match.

‘The Calles have great attitudes, were very positive before the surgeries and she believed in us, and that tells you they were prepared and willing to do that,’ Arenas said. 

It’s been nearly a month since doctors at Memorial Transplant Institute performed the surgeries, and Monica said she’s been doing great.      

 ‘I feel like a million dollars. And i think I look like a million bucks, compared to before,’ she told the Sun Sentinel. 

She added: ‘I felt like I just won the lottery. I started dreaming of what my future would look like, not having to do dialysis. The fact that I can actually travel now and not worry about carrying boxes with me or supplies, or worry if it’s gonna get lost. I felt so free.’



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